Bengaluru: A day after union minister of state for skill development, Anant Kumar Hegde landing in yet another controversy using the term "barking dogs" to describe those protesting against him, Congress leaders like M. Mallikarjun Kharge and KPCC president, Dr G. Parameshwar lashed out him at him asserting that he was insulting Dalits.
Speaking to reporters, Mr Kharge sarcastically remarked that the union minister should speak responsibly. "Dalits will surely teach him and his party a lesson in the forthcoming elections for his unrestricted rants. He seems to have forgotten that he apologised in Parliament over his remarks on changing the Constitution. That too was done keeping Dalits in mind. This is not the first time he has made such comments. It has become a habit for him to make such comments to grab headlines. In a democratic set-up, protests are a fundamental right. It is not right on his part to liken the agitators to dogs," he retorted.
Dr Parameshwar expressed his displeasure through a tweet stating that as a minister, one must be a role model. "Anant Kumar Hegde, who refers to Dalits as dogs, must know that if you give respect, you will receive respect from others," he tweeted.
Mr Hedge, who was in Ballari for a job fair and skill exhibition, was stopped by Dalit protesters on Saturday. Later, he said he did not care about stray dogs barking
Meanwhile, noted actor and columnist, Prakash Raj wondered if the BJP endorses the comment, in his tweet.
